On August 27, 1960 race riots erupted in Jacksonville, Florida after the arrests of civil rights activists who were participating in a lunch counter sit in.  That first day/night of rioting resulted in over 60 arrests and 50 injuries.  Violence continued throughout the weekend and over 100 would be jailed in the wake of gunfire and fire bombing, one African-American youth was reported dead.  The first day of the riot was coined in the press as “Ax Handle Saturday,” because of the wide use of ax handles as weapons.

Florida Historical Society Special Edition of "Yesteryear"

Much of the associated press coverage of “Ax Handle Saturday,” especially in the northern states, centered around one particular activist arrested.  Richard Parker, a white Florida State University student and member of the NAACP, who was subsequently assaulted while in police custody and sentenced to 90 days in a Jacksonville jail on a charge of vagrancy.  He did not receive medical care while in custody.  According to a newsletter from the Southern Conference Educational Fund, Inc., parker was targeted by police as he was the sole white person involved in the sit-ins in the days leading up to “Ax Handle Saturday.”

Memo October 6, 1960

Richard F. Parker in Jacksonville, Florida, 1960

Richard Parker would again take part in CORE sit-ins in Tallahassee, Florida just weeks after his release from Duval County Jail.  According to a CORE memo dated December 15, 1960, the judge gave Parker the choice to serve 30 days in jail or leave Tallahassee.  

Additional Sources:

United, Press International. "VIOLENCE FLARES IN JACKSONVILLE." New York Times (1923-Current File), Aug 28, 1960.

United, Press International. "New Violence Hits Jacksonville; Police Get Emergency Powers." New York Times (1923-Current File), Aug 29, 1960.

KENNETT LOVE Special to The New,York Times. "ROWDIES BLAMED BY JACKSONVILLE." New York Times (1923-Current File), Aug 31, 1960.